now thats a blatant overlook...

Keith Emerson

there's no one else near him...

RICK WAKEMAN, KEITH EMERSON, KIT WATKINS (Happy the Man, post-Bardens Camel), PETER BARDENS, STEVE WALSH, JORDAN RUDESS, KEVIN MOORE, MARTIN ORFORD (IQ), both NOCENZI brothers (Banco del Mutuo Soccorso), PATRICK MORAZ, CHRISTOPHER BUZBY (Echolyn), TOMAS BODIN (The Flower Kings), HUGH BANTON (Van der Graaf Generator) 

threefates wrote: now thats a blatant overlook... Keith Emerson there's no one else near him...

Emerson is extremely talented technically, no question, but is sometimes too mechanical (IMHO). (I'm not surprised you picked him though! I admire your loyalty and consistency!))

Although he is not known for his technical prowess, I think Neal Morse adds a lot of colour to the texture. And (most will diagree, so be it) but Tony Banks has ability and a creative, dramatic flare like none other. If technical prowess is the sole criterion then Wakeman, Jobson, Jürgen Fritz, Thomas Johnson, Jim Crichton, Patrick Moraz, should all be considered (Moraz shows passion at times as well).

1.- Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson are the best, but if I was creating a band wouldn't recruit them because ofv their huge egos. Great showmen and musicians.

2.- Par Lindh: Excelent keyboardist but only to play his music.

3.- Tony Banks: That's the man for a band, he sits behind his keyboards and doesn't worry about anything. The master of the Mellotron.

Iván

ivan_2068 wrote: Tony Banks: That's the man for a band, he sits behind his keyboards and doesn't worry about anything. The master of the Mellotron.

Com certeza, meu amigo!

Keith Emerson there's no one else near him...

Sorry to have to say this, but your blind loyalty does you a disservice. Maybe if you decide one day to check out the world beyond that of the UK '70s proggers...

Rick Wakeman. Motoi Sakuraba. Chick Corea. Patrick Moraz. Four keyboard players, right there, that are "near" Keith...if not better.

Signed,

A fellow ELP lover, just one who knows better.

dropForge wrote: Sorry to have to say this, but your blind loyalty does you a disservice. Maybe if you decide one day to check out the world beyond that of the UK '70s proggers... Rick Wakeman. Motoi Sakuraba. Chick Corea. Patrick Moraz. Four keyboard players, right there, that are "near" Keith...if not better. Signed, A fellow ELP lover, just one who knows better.

You have a way of assuming things you know nothing about.. I'm sure I'm very well versed on who else is out there... just haven't heard anything that would make me say they rate with Keith.. and I've seen Rick play a couple of times recently.. as well as Chick Corea.. and I've also seen Keith play... very recently (not in the 70s).. and IMHO... they ain't close.

So as a fellow ELP lover... maybe you should get out of Cal... and actually see a live show.

For my money, I would say Tony Banks for his playing on the old Genesis records.  He created a great mood and atmosphere, always tasteful, almost never showing off.

Recently I've been all a buzz about the Nocenzi brothers in Banco.  How they compliment each other is joy to behold. 

Ulf

dropForge wrote: Cool, where's ELP playing? Haha...

We weren't talking about ELP were we??  And I had a nice conversation with Will Alexander last night... and Keith could very well be playing soon... as soon as I get an okay from Will.. I'll let you know!

Tony Banks is the best keyboard player in rock IMO. I once heard him say that he had a better feel for harmony than melody, but I think he has written some of the most memorable melodies in rock music, and some of the most moving prog rock songs. His playing on 'The lamb lies down on Broadway' is breathtaking and very original. I also love his work on 'Wind & Wuthering' and '..ATTWT' On the older albums, he used the mellotron to tremendous effect. The opening chords to 'Watcher of the skies' still make me tingle today. 'The Lamia' 'One for the Vine' and 'Burning rope' are three of my favourite songs of all time.

Pete Bardens and Rick Wright also

Not that keen on Rick Wakemen, great musician, but I was never really bowled over by the sounds he chose to work with. They seemed very thin and tinny a lot of the time. Played some great music, though. Cant deny that.

I used to love the sound of Mark Kellys playing in Marillion, but that was probaly because it reminded me of Tony Banks.

I love all the keyboard players mentioned above but the truth is that it's impossible to compare the players like that is an competition.Every player has his own way of playing that is unique and that is the quality that makes you a really good musician.Not all of the technically perfect musicians had a good feeling to playing in a band.Somebody is better for the solo,others for a band.Emerson and Wakeman are really one of the technically best musicians and improvisators and I really love them.And then Tony banks.Master of the mellotron.He is less technical and more melodic and harmonic.He is certainly man for the band.he is playing with such easiness and harmony that is just beautiful to listen to him.

And what about Tony Kaye.I really love him too.

threefates wrote: now thats a blatant overlook... Keith Emerson there's no one else near him..

Will you ever stop for voting for ELP  almost exclusively?  

I'd say.... Keith plays very loud and obese as it were. His keyboards constantly scream out as if trying to be bigger than the group, don't like that.

Now Rick Wakeman has this quality, he can stay in the background, often unnoticed unless one wonders where the keyboards have gone and discover them, and then does these great soloes as on Close... However, I don't think Wakeman is 'the greatest' as I don't know many keyboardists, it was merely to show Keith wasn't thát great.

ivan_2068 wrote: 3.- Tony Banks: That's the man for a band, he sits behind his keyboards and doesn't worry about anything. The master of the Mellotron. Iván

I almost never disagree with Ivan, but I have to say Mike Pinder is the mellotron grandmaster- while his playing was not at the level of many others, he was able to make that mellotron do things that nobody has ever equalled.

Can't argue about Banks, Emerson and Wakeman (especially their acoustic piano work). And Richard Wright has often surprised me with his ability and sound. Oh yeah, and I always liked Steve Walsh's playing too.

Tony Banks, without question or justification

'In the cage' 'Suppers Ready' 'Cinema show' 'Firth of Fifth'

Further evidence, should it be needed that Tony Banks is top of the class.

In my humble opinion..

JrKASperov wrote: Will you ever stop for voting for ELP  almost exclusively?

Ahh... No I won't

JrKASperov wrote: I'd say.... Keith plays very loud and obese as it were. His keyboards constantly scream out as if trying to be bigger than the group, don't like that.

Yeh, ELP rocked!! And you haven't evidently listened to Keith's Concerto.. or to much of his solo work like Blade Runner or Close to Home... or even maybe the second fate of "The Three Fates"..

JrKASperov wrote: Now Rick Wakeman has this quality, he can stay in the background, often unnoticed unless one wonders where the keyboards have gone and discover them, and then does these great soloes as on Close... However, I don't think Wakeman is 'the greatest' as I don't know many keyboardists, it was merely to show Keith wasn't thát great.

Who said staying in the background was a good thing?  It depends on how boring you like your keyboards.. I prefer mine 'not boring'!

Then you've missed my point. Which was that Keith exclusively plays on the foreground, and dares not relinquish his position where Rick does. Rick however, makes his parts even more impressive when he dóes step to the foreground!

ELP is NOT the greatest progband. They are great though.

But you're missing the point...

There were five members in Yes... and Rick gave up the spotlight mostly to John Anderson's voice and Steve Howe who mostly played in the foreground.

With ELP... Keith was the main instrument most times... the only thing that overshadowed Keith's instrument.. was Greg's voice.

What??? Who told you ELP was not the greatest progband??  Off with their heads! 

I guess keyboard players fall into two broad categories:

Virtuoso players who perhaps crave the limelight, and who's solos are frequent and often lengthy. I'd include Wakeman, Emerson, Bodin, Vangelis, etc. in this category.

Players who create layers and atmospheres for the rest of the band to develop. I'd include Banks, Moraz, Pinder, Hensley etc. in this category.

Clearly there will be a fair bit of crossing over between the two, and players in either category may be more technically gifted than others.

My personal vote would go to Clive Nolan (Arena, Pendragon etc.), who for me manages to cover both categories better than anyone else. I'd readily acknowledge that he's probably not the "best" if it came to a "I can do something you can't do" contest, but what he does works for me.

Now now...here's my fav and the album where I think they really shine

Tony Banks (forgotten master, no 1 all-star) ---Nursery Cryme

Keith Emerson (overrated, but still flamboyant)---Brain Salad Surgery

Kerry Minnear (competent and constant in quality)---Acquiring the taste

Jurgen Fritz (as good as Emerson, if not better?)---Double Dimple

Rick Van Der Linden (genius, but like every prodigee...overlooked)---Birds

Overall: TONY BANKS

One day people will understand how competent and intelligently he played.

He's the motor of Genesis. A quiet one, but when he speaks, it's never for nothing.

Anyone who doesn't think Keith Emerson is a mighty talent will get a well earned clip round the ear from me!

The 'also rans':

Rick Wakeman (tried hard to be Keith Emerson but never quite made it,bless him)

Francis Monkman (great talent,unfairly overlooked)

Eddie Jobson (has done both prog and 'new age' really well)

Vangelis (another fantastic talent although his prog credentials may be a little 'fuzzy')

Tony Banks (great composer and pianist/organist but what about those synths,then Tony?)

Kerry Minnear (maybe the only serious challenger to Keith Emerson as a 'multi keyboardist')

Martin Orford (great player and composer)

Par Lindh (very original stylist.Manages not to be an 'Emerson clone' despite his obvious reverence for said musician)

• Pär Lindh
• Rick Wright
• Stephen Geysens
• Lalo Huber
• Tomas Jonson
• Anna Sofi Dahlberg
• Pete Bardens
• Gianni Nocenzi
• Neil Morse
• Halvard Haugerud...

and many more!

Rick Wakeman (tried hard to be Keith Emerson but never quite made it,bless him)

Rick's never tried to be anybody but himself. Rick's one of the very best, and while I do prefer Keith for piano (though Rick's output is far more prolific), I prefer Rick for Minimoog/synths action. Both guys are great on clavinet, but concerning the incredible "Ice Run" from White Rock, I'd give the nod to Rick. And Rick's also got the edge when it comes to speed (though speed isn't what I really listen to keyboardists for...guys like Vitalij Kuprij make me sick...speed w/o taste). 

Then you've missed my point. Which was that Keith exclusively plays on the foreground, and dares not relinquish his position where Rick does. Rick however, makes his parts even more impressive when he dóes step to the foreground! There were five members in Yes... and Rick gave up the spotlight mostly to John Anderson's voice and Steve Howe who mostly played in the foreground.

Sperov's just trying to remark about how Rick excelled as both an accompanist and soloist. The thing about Rick, though, is that even when Howe was ripping a solo or Jon was singing, or Chris was doing some incredible bass run, his parts were never snuffed out. And that's an achievement in itself, considering the unbelievable caliber of talent in a group like Yes.

I felt the same way about Tony Kaye, since he was the main reason I came to love Yes in the beginning... Unlike most, my favorite song on "The Yes Album" was "A Venture"...that beginning would suck me in every time.

So it took me a while to get use to Rick Wakeman, and even longer to Patrick Moraz... but they both grew on me after awhile. 

Eddie Jobson (by far!)

Kit Watkins

Martin Orford

Rick Wakeman

Jurgen Fritz

Keith Emerson

Richard Harvey

John Tout

Mark Kelly

Vittorio Nocenzi